The Sand Finale Lauderdale`s `Shore Thing` Hailed As Success As Series Closes.

September 2, 1989|By TOULA VLAHOU, Staff Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE -- The curtain will come down tonight on movies at the beach, and officials are hoping next year will bring even bigger and better films.

The Pink Panther will wrap up the 13-week series of live music and movies, dubbed A Shore Thing, that has drawn between 350 and 400 people each Saturday, said Ken Cicora, who is in charge of special events for the city`s park and recreation department.

A Shore Thing was organized by the city and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.

The program`s goals, ``when we started the program originally, one, was to bring residents back to the beach and two, to provide positive activity for the tourists staying here,`` Cicora said.

He said one-third of those attending were tourists, and, of the local moviegoers, some came from as far as Miami and Deerfield Beach.

A July performance by Tommy James and The Shondells, a 1960s rock group, drew about 5,000 people, Cicora said.

The Saturday night parties started with calypso, light rock or jazz bands and street performers. Radio station Magic 102.7 (WMXJ-FM) was also on the scene, sponsoring beach games such as bubble-blowing and trivia contests and treasure hunts.

``We`ll evaluate the entire summer and see how big we can grow and how fast,`` said Barbara Ryan, chairwoman of the Beach Council Marketing Committee. ``A Shore Thing will happen again.``

Ryan said the size of next year`s event will depend on the generosity of sponsors. Alamo Rent A Car and Blockbuster Video each donated $15,000 to pay for this year`s performances and movie rentals. It cost $38,000 to hold A Shore Thing, Cicora said.